The present invention concerns a lighting device (1) of the suspension type, comprising at least a first and a second modular lighting element (2, 3). Each modular element (2, 3) comprises a first conductive rod (7) having a first polarity and a second conductive rod (8) having a second polarity opposite the first polarity, an isolating connection element (10) arranged between the first conductive rod (7) and the second conductive rod (8) so as to prevent direct contact between the first and the second conductive rod (7, 8), and at least one light terminal (9)operatively in contact with the first conductive rod (7) and the second conductive rod (8). The lighting device (1) further comprises a first and a second connection element (4, 5) configured to join the first and the second modular element (2, 3) at the conductive rods (7, 8) having the same polarity. Each connection element (4, 5) is configured to operate at least between an adjustment configuration, wherein the respective rods (7, 8) of the modular elements (2, 3) can be relatively moved, by rotation, translation and/or rotational- translational movement, so as to permit a given positioning of the rods (7, 8) of the modular elements with respect to each other, and a fastening configuration, wherein the conductive rods (7, 8) of the modular elements are fastened in a given position with respect to each other. Said connection elements (4, 5) are at least partially made of a conductive material so as to permit, at least in the fastening configuration, electrical continuity between the respective conductive rods (7, 8) of the modular elements (2, 3) having the same polarity.

1 . A lighting device (1 ), particularly of the suspension type, comprising at least a first and a second modular lighting element (2,3), each modular element (2,3) comprising:

• a first conductive rod (7) having or intended to have a first polarity and a second conductive rod (8) having or intended to have a second polarity opposite the first polarity,

• an isolating connection element (10) arranged between the first conductive rod (7) and the second conductive rod (8) and configured to space the first and the second conductive rod (7, 8) apart so as to prevent direct contact between the first and the second conductive rod (7, 8), and to keep them at a suitable distance so as to prevent a direct passage of current between them,

• at least one light terminal (9) operatively in contact with the first conductive rod (7) and the second conductive rod (8),

the lighting device (1 ) further comprising a first and a second connection element (4, 5), each one of said connection elements (4, 5) being configured to join the first and the second modular element (2, 3) at the conductive rods (7, 8) of said modular elements (2, 3) having the same polarity, the first connection element (4) interconnecting the first rod (7) of the first modular element (2) with the first rod (7) of the second modular element (3), the second connection element (5) interconnecting the second rod (8) of the first modular element (2) with the second rod (8) of the second modular element (3).

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein each connection element (4, 5) is configured to operate at least between an adjustment configuration, wherein the respective rods (7, 8) of the modular elements (2, 3) can be relatively moved, by rotation, translation and/or rotational-translational movement, so as to permit a given positioning of the rods (7, 8) of the modular elements with respect to each other, and a fastening configuration, wherein the conductive rods (7, 8) of the modular elements are fastened in a given position with respect to each other.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the connection elements (4, 5) are at least partially made of a conductive material so as to permit, at least in the fastening configuration, electrical continuity between the respective conductive rods (7, 8) of the modular elements (2, 3) having the same polarity.

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a first and a second electrical connection element made of a conductive material so as to permit electrical continuity between the respective conductive rods (7, 8) of the modular elements (2, 3) having the same polarity, each one of said electrical connection elements being configured to join the first and the second modular element (2, 3) at the conductive rods (7, 8) of the modular elements (2, 3) having the same polarity, the first electrical connection element interconnecting the first rod (7) of the first modular element (2) with the first rod (7) of the second modular element (3), the second electrical connection element interconnecting the second rod (8) of the first modular element (2) with the second rod (8) of the second modular element (3).

5. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein in the adjustment configuration, the respective rods (7, 8) of the modular elements (2, 3) connected by a same connection element (4, 5) are configured to move towards each other by means of one adjustment movement of the connection element (4, 5).

6. The device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said conductive rods (7, 8) of the modular lighting elements (2, 3) have, in cross section, respective opposite ends, at least at or in proximity to each one of which a longitudinal grooved seat (13) is defined, each connection element (4, 5) being partially housed and slidable, in the adjustment configuration, in a respective longitudinal grooved seat (13).

7. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each connection element (4, 5) comprises:

- a first and a second tightening element (17, 18), the first tightening element (17) being arranged at a grooved seat (13) of a conductive rod (7, 8) of one of either the first or the second modular element (2, 3), the second tightening element (18) being arranged at a grooved seat (13) in the respective conductive rod (7, 8) having the same polarity as the other of either the first or the second modular element (2, 3),

- an elongated shaft (19) comprising a first and a second end (19a, 19b) and an intermediate portion (19c) arranged between and connecting the first and the second end (19a, 19b), the first end (19a) being configured to convert a rotation of the shaft (19) in a first rotation direction into an advancing movement of the first tightening element (17), pivotably engaged to said first end (19a), in an axial direction with respect to the shaft (19) and approaching the intermediate portion (19c), the second end (19b) being configured to convert said rotation of the shaft (19) in the first rotation direction into an advancing movement of the second tightening element

(18) , pivotably engaged to said second end (19b), in an axial direction with respect to the shaft (19) and approaching the intermediate portion (19c) and the first tightening element (17),

- a guide member (20) engaged to the shaft (19) at the intermediate portion (19c) of the shaft (19), the guide member (20) being provided with only one degree of freedom with respect to the shaft (19), said degree of freedom preferably being for axial translation along the intermediate portion (19c) of the shaft (19), and said guide member (20) having an internal cavity having an outline that is complementarily shaped with respect to the shape of the intermediate portion (19c) of the shaft (19), rotation of the guide member (20) in the first rotation direction determining an integral rotation of the shaft

(19) and a resulting axial advancement of said tightening elements (17, 18) towards each other, the guide member (20) being made of a conductive material.

8. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein, in the adjustment configuration, the guide member (20) rotates and draws the shaft (19) into integral rotation, the rotation of the shaft (19) causing the first and the second tightening element (17, 18) to move closer to each other, and thus the respective conductive rods (7, 8), having the same polarity, of the first and the second modular element (2, 3) also move closer to each other,

and wherein, in the fastening configuration:

- on opposite faces, the guide member (20) of the first connection element (4) is directly in contact with the first conductive rod (7) of the first modular element (2) and with the first conductive rod (7) of the second modular element (3), respectively, so as to permit electrical continuity between the first and the second modular element (2, 3), said first conductive rods (7) having the same first polarity, - on opposite faces, the guide member (20) of the second connection element (5) is directly in contact with the second conductive rod (8) of the first modular element (2) and with the second conductive rod (8) of the second modular element (3), respectively, so as to permit electrical continuity between the first and the second modular element (2, 3), said second conductive rods (8) having the same second polarity.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first and the second end (19a, 19b) of the shaft (19) are threaded, the thread of the first end (19a) having an opposite handedness with respect to the handedness of the second end (19b), and wherein the first tightening element (17) is internally threaded, the thread of the first tightening element (17) being configured to be coupled to the thread of the first end (19a) of the shaft (19), and wherein the second tightening element (18) is internally threaded, the thread of the second tightening element (18) being configured to be coupled to the thread at the second end (19b) of the shaft (19), and/or wherein the intermediate portion (19c) of the shaft (19) has a shape that is at least partially polygonal, particularly entirely polygonal, for example triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal, trapezoidal, pentagonal or hexagonal, or having a greater number of sides, or it has an ellipsoidal or curvilinear and suitably shaped form.

10. The device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein each modular lighting element (2, 3) comprises at least one mounting template (14) engaged at one longitudinal end of the conductive rods (7, 8), said mounting template (14) forming, in cooperation with longitudinal grooved seats (13) of the conductive rods (7, 8) having opposite polarities, a differentiated path for mounting the first and the second connection element (4, 5), so as to prevent incorrect or reversed mounting of the respective tightening elements (17, 18), having at least one differentiated dimensional characteristic with respect to each other, with respect to the longitudinal grooved seats (13).

Description:

"Lighting device and related connection element"

The object of the present invention is a lighting device and a connection element, the latter being particularly suited for use with lighting devices. The lighting device is preferably of the suspension type, that is, it is intended to be hung from the ceiling under operating conditions.

There are lighting devices of the suspension type in the prior art.

These devices are intended to be hung from the ceiling and they can comprise one or more conductive rods.

The devices of the prior art are usually of a fixed, non-adjustable type, that is, they are not flexible or adaptable to operative configurations differing from the initial mounted one. Moreover, the conductive rods of the prior art devices have rigid connections and they cannot be easily adjusted unless they are completely dismounted and subsequently remounted.

In light of the above, the principal aim of the present invention is to solve one or more of the problems noted in the prior art.

One aim of the present invention is to make available a lighting device that can be adjusted and modulated even after it has been mounted.

A further aim of the present invention is to offer a lighting device that is directable in an area as desired and adaptable to the lighting needs of the setting in which it is installed.

An aim of the present invention is also to offer a connection element that enables easy adjustment of lighting devices.

A further aim of the present invention is to offer a connection element that is capable of ensuring electrical continuity between modular elements of lighting devices.

These and other aims, which shall become more apparent from the following description, are substantially achieved by a lighting device and by a connection element according to that which is set forth in one or more of the appended claims and/or in one or more of the following aspects, considered separately or in any combination thereof, or in combination with any one of the appended claims and/or in combination with any one of the further aspects or characteristics described below. In an independent aspect, a lighting device is provided, particularly of the suspension type, comprising at least a first and a second modular lighting element, each modular element comprising:

· a first conductive rod having a first polarity and a second conductive rod having a second polarity opposite the first polarity,

• an isolating connection element arranged between the first conductive rod and the second conductive rod and configured to space the first and the second conductive rod apart so as to prevent direct contact between the first and the second conductive rod,

• at least one light terminal operatively in contact with the first conductive rod and the second conductive rod,

the lighting device further comprising a first and a second connection element, each one of said connection elements being configured to join the first and the second modular element at the conductive rods of said modular elements having the same polarity, the first connection element interconnecting the first rod of the first modular element with the first rod of the second modular element, the second connection element interconnecting the second rod of the first modular element with the second rod of the second modular element.

In one aspect, each connection element is configured to operate at least between an adjustment configuration, in which the respective rods of the modular elements can be moved relatively, by rotation, translation and/or rotational-translational movement, so as to permit a given positioning of the rods of the modular elements with respect to each other, and a fastening configuration, in which the conductive rods of the modular elements are fastened in a given position with respect to each other.

In one aspect, the connection elements are at least partially made of a conductive material so as to permit, at least in the fastening configuration, electrical continuity between the respective conductive rods of the modular elements having the same polarity.

In one aspect, the lighting device further comprises a first and a second electrical connection element made of a conductive material so as to permit electrical continuity between the respective conductive rods of the modular elements having the same polarity, each one of these electrical connection elements being configured to join the first and the second modular element at the conductive rods of the modular element having the same polarity, the first electrical connection element interconnecting the first rod of the first modular element with the first rod of the second modular element, the second electrical connection element interconnecting the second rod of the first modular element with the second rod of the second modular element.

In one aspect, the connection elements have the same function as the electrical connection elements.

In one aspect, in the adjustment configuration, the respective rods of the modular elements which are connected by the same connection element are configured to move towards each other by means of one adjustment movement of the connection element.

In one aspect, said conductive rods of the modular lighting elements have, in cross section, respective opposite ends, at or in proximity to each one of which a longitudinal grooved seat is defined, each connection element being partially housed and slidable, in the adjustment configuration, in a respective longitudinal grooved seat.

In one aspect, each connection element comprises:

- a first and a second tightening element, the first tightening element being arranged at a grooved seat of a conductive rod of one of either the first or the second modular element, the second tightening element being arranged at a grooved seat of the respective conductive rod having the same polarity as the other of either the first or the second modular element,

- an elongated shaft comprising a first and a second end and an intermediate portion arranged between and connecting the first and the second end, the first end being configured to convert a rotation of the shaft in a first rotation direction into an advancing movement of the first tightening element, pivotably engaged to said first end, in an axial direction with respect to the shaft and approaching the intermediate portion, the second end being configured to convert said rotation of the shaft in the first rotation direction into an advancing movement of the second tightening element, pivotably engaged to said second end, in an axial direction with respect to the shaft and approaching the intermediate portion and the first tightening element, - a guide member engaged to the shaft at the intermediate portion of the shaft, the guide member being provided with only one degree of freedom with respect to the shaft, said degree of freedom preferably being for axial translation along the intermediate portion of the shaft, and said guide member having an internal cavity having an outline that is complementarily shaped with respect to the shape of the intermediate portion of the shaft, a rotation of the guide member in the first rotation direction determining an integral rotation of the shaft and a resulting axial advancement of said tightening elements towards each other, the guide member being of conductive material

In one aspect, in the adjustment configuration, the guide member rotates and draws the shaft into integral rotation, the rotation of the shaft causing the first and the second tightening element to move closer to each other, and thus the respective conductive rods, having the same polarity, of the first and the second modular element also move closer to each other.

In one aspect, in the fastening configuration:

- on opposite faces, the guide element of the first connection element is directly in contact with the first conductive rod of the first modular element and with the first conductive rod of the second modular element, respectively, so as to permit electrical continuity between the first and the second modular element, said first conductive rods having the same first polarity,

- on opposite faces, the guide member of the second connection element is directly in contact with the second conductive rod of the first modular element and with the second conductive rod of the second modular element, respectively, so as to permit electrical continuity between the first and the second modular element, said second conductive rods having the same second polarity.

In one aspect, the guide member is made of aluminium, copper or an alloy containing at least 50% copper.

In one aspect, the first and the second end of the shaft are threaded, the thread at the first end has an opposite handedness with respect to the handedness of the thread at the second end, and in which the first tightening element is internally threaded, the thread of the first tightening element being configured to be coupled to the thread of the first end of the shaft, and in which the second tightening element is internally threaded, the thread of the second tightening element being configured to be coupled to the thread of the second end of the shaft.

In one aspect, the intermediate portion of the shaft has a shape that is at least partially polygonal, particularly entirely polygonal, for example triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal, trapezoidal, pentagonal or hexagonal, or having a greater number of sides, or it has an ellipsoidal or curvilinear and suitably shaped form. In one aspect, the first and the second tightening element have an external shape that is at least partially polygonal, particularly entirely polygonal, for example triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal, trapezoidal, pentagonal or hexagonal, or having a greater number of sides, or they have an ellipsoidal or curvilinear and suitably shaped form.

In one aspect, the first and the second tightening element are integrated, fastened or made as a single piece with the respective conductive rods of modular lighting elements, said conductive rods having the same polarity.

In one aspect, said conductive rods have, in cross section, respective opposite ends, at each one of which a longitudinal grooved seat is defined, the seat being configured to house a respective tightening element.

In one aspect, each modular lighting element comprises at least one mounting template engaged at one longitudinal end of the conductive rods, said mounting template forming, in cooperation with longitudinal grooved seats of the conductive rods having opposite polarities, a differentiated mounting path for the first and the second connection element, so as to prevent an incorrect or reversed mounting of the respective tightening elements, having at least one differentiated dimensional characteristic with respect to each other, with respect to the longitudinal grooved seats.

In one aspect, each tightening element is configured to slide longitudinally along the respective longitudinal grooved seat.

In one aspect, the first and the second tightening element are threaded lock nuts. In one aspect, the geometry of the tightening elements of the first connection element is different from that of the tightening elements of the second connection element - for example, the height may be different - so as to permit proper mounting of conductive rods having the same polarity. In one aspect, the tightening elements are configured so as to be insertable in the longitudinal grooved seats of the conductive rods so as to be constrained with respect to the rotation and therefore so as not to be rotatable upon rotation of the shaft.

In one aspect, the lighting device is configured to operate at low voltage, for example 24 V.

In one aspect, the first and the second tightening element are integrated, fastened or made as a single piece with the respective conductive rods of modular lighting elements, the conductive rods having the same polarity.

In one aspect, the geometry of the tightening elements of the first connection element is different from that of the tightening elements of the second connection element - for example, the height may be different - so as to permit proper mounting of conductive rods having the same polarity, preventing errors in the mounting process.

In one aspect, the electrical connection elements between the rods coincide with, or comprise, the connection elements and/or the connection element also function as electrical connection elements.

In one aspect, the electrical connection elements between the rods are distinct elements with respect to the connection elements.

In an independent aspect, a connection element, preferably for lighting elements is provided and comprises:

- an elongated shaft comprising a first and a second end and an intermediate portion arranged between the first and the second end, the first end being configured to convert a rotation of the shaft in a first rotation direction into an advancing movement of a first tightening element engaged to said first end in an axial direction with respect to the shaft and approaching the intermediate portion, the second end being configured to convert said rotation of the shaft in the first rotation direction into an advancing movement of a second tightening element engaged to said second end in an axial direction with respect to the shaft and approaching the intermediate portion,

- a guide member engaged to the shaft at the intermediate portion of the shaft, the guide member being provided with only one degree of freedom with respect to the shaft, said degree of freedom preferably being for axial translation along the shaft, and said guide member having an internal cavity having an outline that is complementarily shaped with respect to the shape of the intermediate portion of the shaft, the guide member being configured to draw the shaft into rotation, the rotation of the guide member in the first rotation direction determining an integral rotation of the shaft and a resulting axial advancement of said tightening elements towards each other.

In one aspect, the connection element operates at least between an adjustment configuration, in which the guide member rotates and draws the shaft into integral rotation, the rotation of the shaft causing the first and the second tightening element to move towards each other, and a fastening configuration, in which said tightening elements are fastened at a given distance from the guide member and/or are in contact with the guide member on respective opposite faces of the guide member.

In one aspect, the guide member is made of a conductive material, in the fastening configuration the guide member being, on opposite faces, directly in contact with said tightening elements or with respective conductive rods having the same polarity and interposed between the guide member and the tightening elements, and permitting electrical continuity between said conductive rods or between said tightening elements.

In one aspect, the guide member is made of aluminium, copper or an alloy containing at least 50% copper.

In one aspect, the first and the second end of the shaft are threaded, the thread at the first end having an opposite handedness with respect to the handedness of the thread at the second end.

In one aspect, the connection element comprises said first and said second tightening element, the first tightening element being pivotably engaged to the first end of the shaft and the second tightening element being pivotably engaged to the second end of the shaft.

In one aspect, the first tightening element is internally threaded, the thread of the first tightening element being complementarily shaped to the thread of the first end of the shaft, the second tightening element is internally threaded, the thread of the second tightening element being complementarily shaped to the thread at the second end of the shaft. In one aspect, the first and the second tightening element are integrated in respective conductive rods of modular lighting elements, said conductive rods having the same polarity.

In one aspect, the intermediate portion of the shaft has a shape that is at least partially polygonal, particularly entirely polygonal, for example triangular, square, rectangular, rhomboidal, trapezoidal, pentagonal or hexagonal, or having a greater number of sides, or it has an ellipsoidal or curvilinear and suitably shaped form. In one aspect, the connection element is configured and intended for use in the mechanical and electrical connection of modular lighting elements and/or lighting devices.

In one aspect, the first and the second tightening element are threaded lock nuts.

By way of non-limiting example, a detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments of the invention is provided below, wherein:

Figure 1 represents a lighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 represents an exploded view of a modular element and two connection elements of a lighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 represents a cross section of a lighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with a few elements removed;

Figure 4 represents a detail of the section of Figure 3, illustrating the connection elements connecting two modular elements;

Figure 5 represents a front view of a lighting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with a head piece removed;

Figure 6 represents an exploded view of a connection element in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 represents an assembled configuration of the connection element of Figure 6.

In this text, the elements defined as "conductive" and/or as determining "electrical continuity" are understood as complying with the provisions of sector-specific regulations, particularly with the regulation EN 60598-1 :2015-04), with respect to "current-carrying parts", and/or are understood as made of copper, or of an alloy containing at least 50% copper, or of a material having at least equivalent characteristics, or made of aluminium should they prove to be suitable according to the provisions of the regulation.

With reference to the figures, a lighting device according to the present invention is indicated in its entirety by the number 1 .

The lighting device 1 comprises at least two modular lighting elements 2, 3. Figure 1 illustrates by way of example a lighting device comprising three modular lighting elements 2, 3, each of which is connected to another modular lighting element by two connection elements 4, 5 (both can be seen in Figures 3 and 4). The structure and the characteristics of the connection elements 4, 5 shall be discussed in further detail later.

The lighting device 1 is preferably of the suspension type and it can comprise suspension means 6 configured to support and constrain the modular lighting elements 2, 3 to a ceiling (see Figures 1 , 3 and 5).

Each modular lighting element 2, 3 comprises a first and a second conductive rod 7, 8, each of which being of an opposite polarity with respect to the other rod. The first conductive rod 7 is of a first electrical polarity, for example a positive one, and the second conductive rod 8 is of a second electrical polarity, for example a negative one. The conductive rods 7, 8 of opposite polarities can have a different voltage between them (and/or a different voltage can be maintained between them) and they can be realized by means of the same process (e.g. extrusion), which, however, can differ in the subsequent steps for finishing the conductive rods 7, 8, said steps being suitable to give the rods 7, 8 different electrical characteristics. The conductive rods 7, 8 extend along a preferred longitudinal direction and they are elongated in shape along this direction (see Figure 2). Each modular lighting element 2, 3 further comprises one or more light terminals 9, which for example can be LED terminals. Figure 2 shows the exploded view of a lighting device 1 equipped with a plurality of light terminals 9. Each light terminal 9 is in contact with both conductive rods 7, 8 of opposite polarities of a modular lighting element 2, 3 so as to permit the passage of current between the same rods 7, 8; in this manner, the light terminal 9 illuminates the surrounding area (see Figures 3 and 5). The light terminals 9 can be engaged to the conductive rods 7, 8 both at the upper and the lower faces of the same rods (see Figure 3 and Figure 5), or they can be engaged only on one of the two faces of the conductive rods 7, 8.

The conductive rods 7, 8 having opposite polarities of each modular element 2, 3 are not in direct contact with each other (to prevent short circuits); an isolating connection element 10 is interposed between the conductive rods 7, 8 which serves as electrical isolation between the conductive rods 7, 8 and permits a stable positioning with respect to each other at a certain distance from each other (see Figure 3).The isolating connection element 10 is elongated in shape and there can be one for each modular element 2, 3, and extending for the entire length of the conductive rods 7, 8 or there can be two isolating connection elements 10 for each modular element 2, 3, each of which extending for one half- length of the conductive rods 7, 8 (as illustrated in Figure 2).

The isolating connection element 10 is inserted into connection portions 1 1 of the conductive rods 7, 8, which can be complementarily shaped to the outline of the isolating element 10 so as to permit a more stable and solid connection.

A conductive rod 7, 8 can be connected to the suspension means 6 by means of a connecting bracket 12. In Figures 1 , 3 and 5, the connecting bracket 12 is connected to the second conductive rod 8 with negative electrical polarity.

Furthermore, the conductive rods 7, 8, have, in a cross section such as the one illustrated in Figure 3, opposite ends, each of which is provided with a grooved seat 13, which enables the housing and the sliding of the connection elements 4, 5 in order to modulate the positioning with respect to each other between the modular lighting elements 2, 3. The grooved seats 13 can extend only for a stretch of the length of the conductive rods 7, 8 or for the entire length thereof (as illustrated in Figure 2).

In an unillustrated variant, the device 1 can further comprise a first and a second electrical connection element made of a conductive material so as to permit electrical continuity between the respective conductive rods 7, 8 of the modular elements 2, 3 having the same polarity, each one of these electrical connection elements being configured to join the first and the second modular element 2, 3 at the conductive rods 7, 8 of the modular elements 2, 3 having the same polarity, the first electrical connection element interconnecting the first rod 7 of the first modular element 2 with the first rod 7 of the second modular element 3, the second electrical connection element interconnecting the second rod 8 of the first modular element 2 with the second rod 8 of the second modular element 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connection elements 4, 5 have the same function as the electrical connection elements.

Each modular element 2, 3 can further comprise a mounting template 14 and a head piece 15 for each longitudinal end of the conductive rods 7, 8. The mounting template 14 can have elements for identifying the polarity of the conductive rods 7, 8, as illustrated in Figure 5. In Figure 5 the identifying element for the first conductive rods 7 having positive polarity is in the form of a "+" and the identifying element for the second conductive rods 8 having negative polarity is in the form of a

The mounting template 14 is engaged at the longitudinal ends of the conductive rods 7, 8 and it defines a differentiated path for mounting the first connection elements 4 and the second connection elements 5. The mounting path is defined by the mounting template 14 in collaboration with the grooved seats 13 of the conductive rods 7, 8 and enables a determined mounting of the connection elements 4, 5 and thus a proper mounting of the conductive rods 7, 8. For example, as illustrated in Figure 5, the mounting template 14 can permit full access to the grooved seats 13 of the conductive rods 7 having positive electrical polarity, while it can at least partially obstruct the access to the grooved seats 13 of the conductive rods 8 having negative electrical polarity, or vice versa. In essence, the positioning of the mounting template 14 delimits differentiated passage sections for the first connection elements 4 interconnecting the first rods 7 having the same first polarity and for the connection elements 4 interconnecting the second conductive rods 8 having the same second polarity. This measure permits the proper mounting of the conductive rods 7, 8 of the modular elements 2, 3 having the same polarity, with respect to each other, and to prevents rods 7, 8 having opposite polarities from being mounted.

The head piece 15 is arranged frontally with respect to the mounting template 14 and it is accessible from the outside after the mounting of the lighting device 1 has been completed (see Figure 1 ).

Each modular element 2, 3 can also have guards 16 arranged above and below the conductive rods 7, 8 and that extend for the entire length of the conductive rods 7, 8. The guards 16 can function as protective elements for the light terminals 9 and/or as an additional spacer for the conductive rods 7, 8 of each modular element 2, 3 (see Figures 3-5).

Each connection element 4, 5 comprises a first and a second tightening element 17, 18.The first tightening element 17 is housed at a grooved seat 13 of a conductive rod 7, 8 of either the first or the second modular element 2, 3 and the second tightening element 18 is housed in a grooved seat 13 in the respective conductive rod 7, 8 having the same polarity as the conductive rod 7, 8 to which the first tightening element 17 is engaged (see Figures 3 and 4). In an alternative embodiment (unillustrated in the figures), the tightening elements 17, 18 can be fastened or made as a single piece (integrated in) with the respective conductive rods 7, 8 having the same polarity.

The connection element 4, 5 also has a shaft 19 that is elongated in shape, extending along a principal direction, and has a first and a second end 19a, 19b that are opposite each other and an intermediate portion 19c arranged between the first and the second end 19a, 19b. The intermediate portion 19c connects the first and the second end 19a, 19b of the shaft 19 and it has a shape that is at least partially polygonal, particularly entirely polygonal, for example triangular or square or rectangular or rhomboidal or trapezoidal or pentagonal or hexagonal, or having a greater number of sides. In the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures (in particular, see Figures 6 and 7), the intermediate portion 19c of the shaft 19 has a square shape.

In accordance with a variant, the intermediate portion 19c of the shaft 19 has an ellipsoidal or curvilinear and suitably shaped form.

The first and the second tightening element 17, 18 are pivotably engaged at the first and the second end 19a, 19b of the shaft 19, respectively.

Each connection element 4, 5 further comprises a guide member 20.

The guide member 20 is engaged to the shaft 19 at the intermediate portion 19c and it has an internal through cavity having an outline that is complementarily shaped with respect to the shape of the intermediate portion 19c of the shaft 19. In this manner, the guide element 20 can slide along the shaft 19 moving towards one of the two tightening elements 17, 18 of the connection element 4, 5 and a rotational movement thereof in a first rotation direction draws the intermediate portion 19c of the shaft 19, and thus the entire shaft 19, into integral rotation. During the axial sliding movement of the guide member 20, a main portion of the guide member 20 always remains at the intermediate portion 19c of the shaft 19, so that the guide member 20 cannot slide off the intermediate portion 19c.

The first and the second end 19a, 19b of the shaft 19 are configured to convert the rotation of the shaft 19 in the first rotation direction into an axial advancement of the tightening elements 17, 18 towards each other and towards the guide member 20, whereas rotation in a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction causes the tightening elements 17, 18 to move away from each other. For the purpose of bringing about this movement of the first and second tightening elements 17, 18 with respect to each other, the first and the second end 19a, 19b of the shaft 19 of the connection element 4, 5 are threaded and have threads having a different handedness with respect to each other (see Figure 6). For example, the first end 19a of the shaft 19 can have a right-handed thread and the second end 19b of the shaft 19 can have a left-handed thread, or vice versa. In this embodiment, which is illustrated in the attached figures, the first tightening element 17 is internally threaded and the thread is complementarily shaped and configured so as to be coupled to the thread of the first end 19a of the shaft 19 and, in turn, the second tightening element 18 is internally threaded and the thread thereof is complementarily shaped and configured so as to be coupled to the thread of the second end 19b of the shaft 19.The first tightening element 17 and the second tightening element 18 can be threaded nuts.

The guide member 20 is made of a conductive material so as to determine, in a fastening configuration of the connection member 4, 5 (which shall be described herein below), the electrical continuity between conductive rods 7, 8 of modular lighting elements 2, 3 having the same polarity. For example, the guide member 20 can be made of aluminium, copper or an alloy containing at least 50% copper. Each connection element 4, 5 is configured to operate between an adjustment configuration and a fastening configuration.

Herein below, to describe the adjustment configuration and the fastening configuration, reference will be made to the conductive rods 7, 8 of the modular lighting elements 2, 3. However, the connection element 4, 5 can also be utilized for other uses, in which two electric bodies or electric devices or generally two elements that require electrical continuity and/or are designed to operate at the same voltage, need to be interconnected in a specific position. In the adjustment configuration, the respective rods 7, 8 of the modular elements 2, 3 can be moved relatively, by rotation, translation and/or rotational-translational movement, so as to permit a given positioning with respect to each other. In the adjustment configuration, the guide member 20 is rotated in the first rotation direction, causing the tightening elements 17, 18 to move towards each other and thus the conductive rods having same polarity to move towards to the guide member 20, or in the second rotation direction, causing the tightening elements 17, 18 and thus the conductive rods having the same polarity to move away from the guide member 20. During rotation of the guide member 20 in the first rotation direction, it can happen that one of the two conductive rods having the same polarity comes into contact with the guide member 20 before the other conductive rod does. In this case, the guide member 20 slides along the shaft 19 so as to adapt its position and to move towards the other conductive rod.

In the fastening configuration, the conductive rods 7, 8 of the modular elements 2, 3 are fastened in a given position with respect to each other. In one variant, each connection element 4, 5 can be configured to structurally support at least one modular lighting element 2, 3 (see Figure 1 , in which the modular elements 2, 3 are connected to each other and suspended by means of the connection elements 4, 5). As illustrated in Figure 3 and in Figure 4, which illustrate the fastening configuration, the guide member 20 of each connection element 4, 5 is, on opposite faces, directly in contact with conductive rods 7, 8 having the same polarity so as to permit electrical continuity between the conductive rods 7, 8 of different modular elements 2, 3 having the same polarity.

To simplify proper mounting of conductive rods 7, 8 having the same polarity and to prevent mounting errors, the tightening elements 17, 18 of the first connection element 4 (interconnecting first conductive rods having for example a positive polarity) are of a different height with respect to the tightening elements 17, 18 of the second connection element 5 (interconnecting second conductive rods 8 having for example a negative polarity). The difference in height of the tightening elements permits access, by means of the differentiated mounting path, to the grooved seats 13 of the first conductive rods 7, exclusively to the tightening elements 17, 18 of the first connection element 4. In this manner, after having mounted the tightening elements 17, 18 of a first and a second connection element 4, 5 (having different heights) onto the respective grooved seats 13 of the first conductive rod 7 and the second conductive rod 8 of the first modular element 2, a second modular element 3 can be engaged to the first modular element 2 and thanks to the differentiated mounting paths defined by the mounting template 14 of the second modular element 3, the first conductive rods 7 of the second modular element 3 can be mounted exclusively onto the first connection element 4 (because the tightening elements 17, 18 of the first connection element 4 are dimensioned to be positioned exclusively in the grooved seats 13 in the first conductive rods 7) and the second conductive rods 8 of the second modular element 3 can be mounted exclusively onto the second connection element 5. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the height of the tightening elements 17, 18 of the first connection element 4 can be greater than that of the tightening elements 17, 18 of the second connection element 5 (see Figures 3-5).

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, to permit proper mounting of conductive rods 7, 8 with respect to each other, having the same polarity, differentiated grooved seats (with different geometry and/or dimensions) can be provided for the first conductive rods 7 and for the second conductive rods 8.

The present invention permits to obtain one or more of the following advantages and to solve one or more of the problems observed in the prior art.

First of all, the invention makes it possible to make available a lighting device equipped with a compact, adjustable connection element that also has a simple structure.

The invention also makes it possible to obtain a lighting device that can be arranged according to a plurality of operating configurations that differ in the spatial orientation of the conductive rods and thus are capable of adapting to a multitude of spaces and settings to be illuminated.

The invention also makes available a simple and compact connection element that adapts to different operating configurations by means of just one adjustment movement.

The connection element according to the invention is also structurally sturdy, even if the dimensions and weight thereof are limited.

The invention also proves to be convenient to use, easy to implement and simple and economical to make.